GM week around the corner

Hey RPI! As March begins, attention turns to midterms and looking forward to our Spring Break. It also means that our spring sports teams are beginning their seasons and our winter sports teams’ seasons are coming to a close. Our men’s lacrosse team opened last week with a win over State University of New York at Plattsburgh and a close loss in overtime against Keene State. They have two away games this week at Wesleyan University and SUNY Oneonta. Women’s lacrosse begins this week with two games against Williams College and SUNY Oneonta. Men’s tennis went 1-1 last week against The College of New Jersey and Stevens Institute of Technology. Varsity softball will play four games this week against Rutgers University Newark, Salisbury University, SUNY Oswego, and Keystone College. We wish them all the best of luck as they start their seasons.

Last week, our men’s ice hockey team tied Clarkson University and on their Senior Night defeated St. Lawrence University with an awesome penalty shot scored by senior Mark McGowan. They will be back in action this weekend in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Hockey Tournament against Clarkson in a three game series. Women’s indoor track and field placed sixth at the New York state championship meet while the men placed third and both will be competing Friday for the ECAC championship in New York City. Men’s and women’s swimming and diving competed in the NCAA diving regionals with three swimmers qualifying to compete. Last week also marked the last day of work for our athletic director of the last seven years, Jim Knowlton. He is moving on to be the athletic director at the United States Air Force Academy. We thank him for his many years of service and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Last week, the Executive Board passed a motion thanking Mr. Knowlton for his service to RPI as well as heard updates by the Class Council Task Force, Constitution Committee, and Policies Committee. The meeting this past Tuesday will hear proposals by the Senate for a new web page and picnic tables for campus, as well as reviewing banner designs for the 125th anniversary, which kicks off during Grand Marshal Week this April.

March also marks the beginning of campaigning for the next elections which will occur during GM Week in April. If you are interested in running for a position, there will be an election handbook available soon and you can get in contact with the Rules and Elections Committee. If anyone is curious about the roles and responsibility of the President of the Union or of the Executive Board, please feel free to ask me any questions or advice at my office hours on Wednesdays from 8:30–10:30 am or email me at pu@rpi.edu.

Far off in the distance, we also have graduation! I know it seems early to get ready for this, but the RPI Bookstore is having a Grad Fair 2015 event from 10 am–6 pm for anyone graduating in May. You can get information on your graduation status, receive commencement details, learn about Senior Week, check in with the center for career and professional development, and even meet with the Rensselaer Alumni Association. It is also the kickoff for sales for caps and gowns, the 2015 yearbook, graduation invitations, class rings, and diploma frames. Students who attend will also be entered to win great prizes like a 16 GB iPad air, $50 RPI Bookstore gift card, or a diploma frame.

Have a wonderful week! As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to stop by my office or send me an email.